Regarded as the forerunner of gothic rock music and an important influence on goth culture, “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” b/w “Boys” by Bauhaus was released 40 years ago today by Small Wonder Records on August 6th, 1979 as a limited 12″ on white vinyl.
Performed by Peter Murphy on vocals, Daniel Ash on guitar, David J on bass guitar, and Kevin Haskins on drums – the 9 minute track was recorded during a single session at Beck Studios in Wellingbourough, UK on January 26th, 1979 along with four other tracks, “Boys”, “Bite My Hip”, “Some Faces”, and “Harry” which was about Blondie singer Deborah Harry.
Bauhaus – “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” Lyrics
White on white translucent black capes
Back on the rack
Bela Lugosi’s dead
The bats have left the bell tower
The victims have been bled
Red velvet lines the black box
Back on the rack
Bela Lugosi’s dead
The bats have left the bell tower
The victims have been bled
Red velvet lines the black box
Bela Lugosi’s dead
Bela Lugosi’s dead
Undead, undead, undead
Undead, undead, undead
Bela Lugosi’s dead
Undead, undead, undead
Undead, undead, undead
The virginal brides file past his tomb
Strewn with time’s dead flowers
Bereft in deathly bloom
Alone in a darkened room
The count
Strewn with time’s dead flowers
Bereft in deathly bloom
Alone in a darkened room
The count
Bela Lugosi’s dead
Bela…
Bela…